International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) has earned national recognition as a top finisher in a prestigious law enforcement agency competition. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has named the THP the second place winner of the 2012 National Law Enforcement Challenge.

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Deputy Commissioner Larry Godwin and THP Colonel Tracy Trott accepted the award on behalf of the highway patrol earlier this week at the IACP Annual Conference in San Diego, CA.“I want to thank the men and women in the Tennessee Highway Patrol for their hard work over the past year. It is their dedication that made this award possible. This recognition by our peers across the country validates that we are heading in the right direction with our safety and enforcement programs and efforts to help keep Tennesseans safe,” Colonel Trott said.

The National Law Enforcement Challenge is a competition between law enforcement agencies of similar sizes and types. The Highway Patrol competed in the State Police/Highway Patrol category for agencies with 501-1,000 officers. As part of the challenge, the THP submitted an application documenting its efforts and effectiveness in traffic safety enforcement, including officer training, public information, and crash reduction. Last year, the THP also took second place in this competition. In 2010 and 2009, the THP walked away with a third place finish, and earned first place in 2006.

The IACP is the world’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization of police executive with more than 20,000 members in some 200 countries.

About the Tennessee Department of Safety

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s mission is to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.